Wednesday 14 July 2010 01.29 EDT
First published on Wednesday 14 July 2010 01.29 EDT

1 Despite widespread cuts, the government is promising that NHS spending will be protected, so Dom's parents' advice makes sense. As a first step, Dom might think about doing work experience or volunteering during the summer holidays, as some entry-level jobs require experience of the NHS workplace.

2 If Dom is looking for a management career, he could begin as an administrative and clerical officer in a primary care trust's (PCT) sexual health promotion unit, earning £13,653. The role involves general office duties but he would also take part in health promotion campaigns and events. He might get sponsorship for professional management qualifications that would boost his progress.

3 Dom might be more interested in a career that has direct contact with patients. As a speech and language therapy assistant he would earn £13,653 and work alongside qualified therapists with children in schools, clinics and in their homes. His PCT employer is likely to fund him to complete a foundation degree as the first step towards achieving professional registration as a qualified therapist. Experience working with children would be an advantage, which he should bear in mind when thinking about work experience this summer.

4 A career as a healthcare scientist is an option for Dom because he could apply his A-level chemistry knowledge. Working as a medical laboratory assistant would pay £13,653. He would be based in a hospital clinic and play a key role in providing a full pathology service to hospital and GP patients. It does not require prior experience, but Dom must have good keyboard and communication skills. Duties include unpacking, labelling and storing of patient samples, and recording information on the laboratory computer. It could be the first step to becoming a biomedical scientist.

5 An apprenticeship is an ideal way to achieve on-the-job training. He would be paid a minimum of £95 a week – the salary varies according to employer. There are 80 different apprenticeships available in health, which are linked to more than 100 different NHS jobs. An advanced apprenticeship is seen as a good step towards a foundation degree.